Electric Bike Company Radical Scooter Review, 2021

If you’ve been looking for a super comfortable e-scooter, this is it. An adjustable steering stem and seat put the rider in a perfect seated position for their height every time. No more killing your lower back from hours of leaning over.

The saddle is a soft and welcome addition for longer rides. The rubber grips and wider handlebar keep your hands, arms, and shoulders from tiring. The three-point suspension allows you to absorb most road bumps with no discomfort and make this scooter perfect for paved roads or light trails.

The Radical Scooter is easy to fold and lock in a closet or car trunk. The battery is non-removable, meaning you won’t come out of a restaurant to find your battery stolen. There is plenty of space between the front wheel and frame for a bike lock.

For those looking for added security, the Electric Bike Company sells an optional anti-theft alarm for $129.

We took the Radical for a range test on a local paved trail to put the 350W motor through its paces. The ride lasted just over an hour and 20 minutes, covering a total distance of 19.49 miles. We had an average speed of 14.4mph while at Max level assist. Our top speed was 21.5mph, with a slight assist from a downward grade along the ride. The Radical performed well on hills and was steady and sure on straightaways. The acceleration was deliberate, adding to the smoothness of the overall ride.

We took it to an extreme during the hill climb test by tackling a 12% grade at Max assist. This third of a mile stretch would test the heartiest of battery-powered scooters. We tested this steep grade from both the seated and standing positions. Though the weight is distributed differently from seated to standing, the results were virtually the same. With a rider in the low 200’s, we made it halfway up the hill before the scooter relented. A lighter rider would likely have gotten further.

Our speed test of a 100-yard dash and we performed the dash once for each of the assist levels. The results were such:

• Eco Mode- 34.1 seconds: 7.1mph average
• Mid Assist- 21.2 seconds: 11.6 mph average
• Max Assist- 16.4 seconds: 16.9 mph average

The Radical Scooter features a 350 W Motor, with a maximum range of about 20miles on a full charge (depending on the road conditions). We were impressed with how smoothly the eScooter accelerated and how well it maintained its speed.

While some might prefer a faster scooter, the 20 MPH speed cap on the motor ensures you can purchase and use the Radical Scooter in any city without additional licensing.

We tested the motor on a 12% grade hill, both seated and standing on max assist level, and made it about half-way up the .34 mile stretch before we had to put a foot down to help–which isn’t too bad for a scooter.

Both testers are over 200 pounds, and we feel someone under 180 pounds probably would likely make it up the hill with no problem.

The 48v 10.5AH ion-lithium battery is powerful enough to get you about 20 miles on a single charge. The battery is not removable, so you will need to take the entire scooter with you if you prefer to charge indoors. The plus is that this prevents the battery from being stolen.

A full charge takes four to five hours, meaning it will quickly charge up during your workday or in the evening when you get home.

The thumb throttle is comfortably located to the left of the right handgrip, and your speed will increase the more you depress it. Depending on which of the three assist levels you are using, the throttle will take to the max speed for that level once fully depressed. If you want to slow down for curves or turns, just let up some with your thumb to find the right speed.

A simple four-button LCD display on the handlebars’ right-hand side controls the power assist levels and controls the odometer. Straightforward to use and conveniently placed, the silver-tone case stands out, making it easy to spot when glancing down.

On the left-hand side are buttons for controlling your lights, turn signals, and horn.

The LED lighting system is controlled by the switches on the left side of the handlebar. There is a headlight, taillight, sidelights, and blinkers.

Mounted right above the front tire, the bright LED headlight is more for safety than illumination. We were a little surprised by how bright the beam was, but since it isn’t particularly wide it’s primary function will be being seen by other traffic. We suggest additional lighting if riding in the dark is a regular occurrence for you.

The taillight, side lighting, and blinkers enhance the rider’s safety and profile. The blinkers do not automatically turn off, so you have to remind yourself each time you turn them on to turn them off. While a small thing, we hope to see this changed in future models; a 10-second shut off would be a welcome addition.

The Star Union hydraulic disc brakes and the 140mm rotors combine to give you smooth, responsive stopping power. These components are a fantastic value for a scooter in this price range. Most scooters with these brakes cost hundreds of dollars more.

If you need to stop in a hurry, just squeeze the brake levers, and you can stop within 10 feet, even from top speeds near 20mph. Hydraulic disc brakes are reliable, durable, and provide enhanced safety. The brakes are one of the most outstanding features of an already impressive scooter.

One important thing to note is that the brakes are set up so that pulling the right brake will stop the front wheel and not the rear wheel. This is flipped from standard biks setups in America. Given our bike-heavy background this took some remembering on our part to know which brake we were pulling. It would be nice if they were to change this for when the scooter is shipped to you. Just know that it might take a little getting used to.

The quarter cover front fender and half cover rear fender will protect the Radical Scooter and you. Scooters sit close to the ground by nature, so the likelihood of water, mud, and debris finding their way into the components is excellent.

These fenders will divert harmful junk you can’t avoid, keeping the scooter performing its best and increasing your safety.

The marine-grade rust-proof material gives you a reasonably lightweight scooter ideal for portability and an extremely durable frame—no need to worry that your investment will fall apart in a few years.

Rubber grips cushion your hands, especially when standing. These grips are glued on, so if you want to swap them out, you’ll need to cut them off. They will take some time to wear out, so you won’t have to worry about changing for a while unless you are customizing.

The moped-style cushy saddle seat is a welcome sight to the average rider. Narrower seats require a lot of saddle time to build up comfort. With the seat on the Radical Scooter, you’ll experience comfort on your very first ride. The suspension spring post adds to your seated comfort as it absorbs most of the bumps you’ll encounter.

One future change we’d hope to see is using a quick release bolt for securing the seat post to the deck. If you want to remove the seat post entirely you’ll require a couple of allen wrenches to get the job done. It isn’t a deal-breaker by any means, but it would be a welcome change.

A common complaint for larger riders is their comfort when placing their hands on a scooter’s handlebars. No worries here. The 22” handlebar is wider enoughand able to accommodate riders with broader shoulders.

The adjustable steering stem can be extended from 26.5” – 40”. No leaning down and kinking up your neck, shoulders, or back.

There is no need to lie your scooter down, making it a tripping hazard or wasting time finding something to lean it against. The retractable onboard kickstand gives you a bicycle feel when you’re not on it. Just drop the kickstand, and the Radical will be ready to roll when you are.

Many entry-level eScooter tires are made of solid rubber, which adds to a rough ride. The Radical has 10’’ tubed pneumatic tires that get you around town and easily handle uneven terrain. Air-cushioned pneumatic tires add to the overall comfortable ride. With a bit of proper care, these tires should last for a long time.

The double front spring and rear suspension spring-piston combined with the suspension spring post for the seat gives you three points of shock-absorbing comfort (while seated). This much suspension feels about as cushy as it gets when going over bumps in the road.

Electric Bike Company is known for large, powerful cruiser style eBikes, and they brought that same hearty design to the eScooter world. Overall the Electric Bike Report team is pretty impressed with what the Radical Scooter integrated into this price point on a scooter. This scooter is an upgraded and intense version of the typical rental. If you’re buying a scooter, you want value for your dollar, and the Radical delivers.

Outfitted with a super comfortable moped seat, this scooter is well suited for riders who want to get out on long rides. Standing can wear you out, so sit down comfortably and take in the scenery. All controls are at your fingertips. The four-button display, which controls the three assist levels, is on the handlebars’ right side.

The lights, turn signals, and horn are on the left. We found the controls solid, though the turn signals could benefit from an automatic-off feature since the current button to activate needs to be pressed to deactivate. We love the safety features included: headlight, tail light, side lights, horn, blinkers–and of course–the impressive hydraulic disc brakes.

With a robust motor and quick-charging battery, the Radical Scooter goes up to 20 miles on one charge and smoothly and efficiently accelerates to 20MPH. The three assist levels ensure an effortless, customized ride every time–from leisurely to fast-paced.

Larger riders can get comfortable with the adjustable seat post and the steering stem, along with the wide handlebars for those with broader shoulders. With the double front spring suspension, rear spring piston, and a suspension spring post, the Radical takes the bumps out of the road. The 8” expansive deck will easily accommodate both feet, assuring not only comfort but safety.

This is a premium riding scooter compared to most rental scooters in its class. The Electric Bike Company’s attention to detail shows in their bikes and in this scooter. It performed well on our range test, and it was a joy to ride. And when you’re done, it breaks down nicely to stow in your vehicle or closet with minimal effort.

The Radical Scooter comes fully assembled and ready to ride directly from their website. If qualified, a payment plan allows you to buy today and pay later.